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As galore arsenic 535 farmers person died portion using pesticides successful Rajasthan betwixt January 2024 and January 2026, according to accusation provided successful effect to a Legislative Assembly question.
The agriculture department, successful a written reply to an unstarred question by Congress MLA Amin Kagzi, said that ₹5.10 crore successful assistance was provided to the families of deceased farmers nether the Chief Minister's husbandman payment scheme during that period.
The section stated that farmers, cultivation labourers and different persons whitethorn autumn sick and, successful immoderate cases, dice owed to nonaccomplishment to follow indispensable information measures during pesticide spraying and due to the fact that of indiscriminate and unsafe usage of pesticides.
District-wise information showed that Bikaner recorded the highest fig of deaths astatine 57, followed by Churu (56), Hanumangarh (42), Jhalawar (42), Jodhpur (38), and Sriganganagar and Beawar with 31 deaths each.
Dholpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sirohi, Banswara, Dungarpur, and Salumar reported nary specified deaths. Kotputli-Behror, Balotra, Jalore, and Udaipur each registered 1 death. Two farmers died successful Karauli, 3 each successful Khairthal-Tijara, Dausa and Jaipur, 4 successful Bharatpur and 5 successful Rajsamand.
The reply stated that determination is nary proviso for compensation nether the Insecticides Act, 1968, and the Insecticides Rules, 1971. However, fiscal assistance was extended nether the State Government's payment scheme.
The Assembly was besides informed that 189 pesticide samples were recovered substandard during prime checks conducted betwixt January 2024 and January 2026.
According to the department, 5,521 pesticide samples were tested during the period, of which 5,332 met prescribed standards portion 189 were declared substandard.
Action taken against violators included issuing 282 show-cause notices, seizure proceedings successful 14 cases, suspension of 14 licences, and cancellation of 22 licences nether the provisions of the Insecticides Act and Rules.
The section noted that nary cases of unfastened merchantability of banned, substandard, oregon fake pesticides had been reported successful the State. It informed the House that of the 189 substandard samples, 114 were yet confirmed arsenic substandard. Judicial proceedings for filing complaints successful tribunal against respective specified cases are underway.
Reacting to the figures, the Congress MLA said the information pointed to the request for greater consciousness and stricter monitoring of pesticide use.
"The deaths and the fig of substandard samples reported by the authorities itself item the request for stronger field-level monitoring, husbandman grooming and enforcement of information standards. Preventing specified incidents should beryllium treated arsenic a priority," helium said.
The section besides informed the Assembly that it has been promoting integrated farming done assorted schemes and providing assistance to farmers for adopting integrated cultivation practices.
